Anime: Natural Testosterone Supplement?

(Post originally from the previous forum. The power of kek, meme magic, etc.)

Testosterone is THE male hormone. But T levels are being suppressed by hormones, plastics and (((coincidences))). How can we fight back against society and reclaim our birthright?

By mainlining a natural testosterone supplement.

Anime.

Testosterone is possibly the most important hormone for men. It increases mood, muscle mass, sex drive, fat loss, and energy levels. A healthy level of testosterone will keep your chin up, a satisfied smile on your face... and a party in your pants.

Unfortunately, society is kicking us in the metaphysical ballsack. Between the endocrine disruptors in plastics, leftover birth control hormones in drinking water, proliferation of soybean fillers (estrogen precursor)... and the ritual humiliation of the American male on TV... Our Testosterone levels are under assault.

Estrogen is an over the counter cream. Testosterone is a Schedule III Controlled Substance. (((Coincidence?))) Or social programming?

"I watched singer Alicia Keys perform her song Superwoman at the convention and experienced a sinking feeling. I’m fairly certain my testosterone levels dropped as I watched, and that’s not even a little bit of an exaggeration. Science says men’s testosterone levels rise when they experience victory, and drop when they experience the opposite. I watched Keys tell the world that women are the answer to our problems. True or not, men were probably not feeling successful and victorious during her act.

Let me say this again, so you know I’m not kidding. Based on what I know about the human body, and the way our thoughts regulate our hormones, the Democratic National Convention is probably lowering testosterone levels all over the country. Literally, not figuratively."

Every time we watch a commercial where the man is a clueless pansy.... Every time we watch a romantic comedy... Every time we watch a movie where a guy we don't like wins... Our testosterone levels drop. This article explains the science behind Scott Adams' observation:

"Turns out – Movies Can Raise or Lower Hormone Levels (read the full study here). According to a University of Michigan psychology study, watching a romantic film (The Bridges of Madison County) had no effect on women hormonally, but lowered mens testosterone levels. So watching certain media can lower men’s testosterone levels.

The scene from Godfather II where Corleone consolidates power made high-testosterone men even higher testosterone. That same scene actually lowered the testosterone-levels of high-testosterone women and made “people with low-testosterone levels who were most comfortable in submissive roles… downright uncomfortable.”"

This is the double whammy. Not only are testosterone levels low, but high-T movies like the Godfather only work on guys that have good testosterone levels already.

So we've established the scientific basis behind the assault on testosterone in men. It's not that nerds and "shrimps" are born losers. But if watching the Godfather is too much, too soon, how does a nerd fight back against The Machine?

The same article provides the answer:

"One of the most established aspects of testosterone is that winning raises your testosterone and losing lowers it.

The interesting thing is that it doesn’t even have to be you that loses. Testosterone changes during vicarious experiences of winning and losing. So if your “team” loses, you may experience that loss as if it was your own."

"...If you want to increase your testosterone, find ways to experience victory – even if just vicariously. It doesn’t matter if it’s your victory or not. Pick a team, character, or movie where you know the guy you’re rooting for wins. The bigger the adversity they overcome, the bigger the win, and the greater the surge of victory. Good storytelling will actually raise your testosterone.

Hollywood movies and mountains of American culture are custom formulated to destroy your testosterone. What genre of storytelling has relatable, nerdy protagonists, WINNING against impossible odds?

Watching the bumbling idiot "males" in car insurance ads lowers T. Hillary Clinton cheering on "Team Womyn" lowers T. Watching Simon, a underground dirt man, become the hero that defeats the Spiral King... That will grow you a third testicle.

I've started watching Gurren Lagann and have confirmed that it's an excellent show. And its similarity to Outlaw Star reminded me that Outlaw Star is another testosterone booster that is thematically heavy on masculinity.

JoJo's is great because of the aforementioned K selection (basically everything said about Gurren Lagann applies; additionally defeated enemies frequently become trusted allies, and there are serious Spartan vibes). On a thematic level it's great because it's so unpredictable: it basically sets up a story arc and then takes a seatbelt-straining turn into something utterly unexpected whenever the hell it feels like it. Its fights are enjoyable because they center on tactics, and while some of the time they are downright asspulls, it reinforces notions of cognitive formidability as essential to victory, rather than brainlessly shouting your technique's name (enjoyable as that can be, especially when the name is literally being made up on the spot, as is the case with 90% if not more of Gurren Lagann). Lastly, the way the story traces a family lineage of aristocrats but in a very non-aristocratic way lends it a sense of longevity and reinforces the K selection.

Also the character design is a goldmine for anatomical insights. Wikipedia lists lumbar spine curvature as a secondary sex trait for women; JoJo's is convincing me that thoracic curvature is the male equivalent.

Until our lord Boneflour (hey, bone-flower, even his name suggests he's getting laid) dictates otherwise this can serve as unofficial anime discussion thread.

1. I finished JoJo's. Season 4 wasn't quite as epic as 3 but it was still pretty damn intense. I think the two major elements for which I'll remember it are its wack ass humor (even for anime) and the central role tactical thinking plays in the majority of the fights. Also, Reimi Sugimoto's lumbar curvature reignites my faith in God (which is actually very topical, no spoilers).

2. Devilman Crybaby was hyped up to be pretty damn good. The first half was entertaining if extreme physically and emotionally (extensive violence/nudity, extensive innocent casualties). The second half was

dogshit in terms of narrative. The only real value in watching it was to be able to go, oh wow, look how much shit Anno plagiarized! Apparently Berserk borrows heavily from it too, haven't read it. Also Satan having tits was good for a laugh. Otherwise it was just worthless defeatism. Having the world implode without having a view inside the main character's head doesn't quite work. Ryo being the main character, amnesia and all, would have a been a step in the right direction but woulsn't have fixed everything.

3. Lastly, Ancient Magus' Bride is a pretty nifty show, and could probably be used to understand through an aesthetic lens feminine perception. What plot there is is glacial. Rather, the show can best be described as conveying serial impressions as scenes, and feels therein dreamlike. No mechanical description is given of magic (thus far), which is probably a narrative choice to 1. contribute to the essential sense of wonder and 2. allow for wiggle room. Also there's a serious master/slave thing going between Elias (boneman mage) and Chise (low self-esteem superweapon). Japan is conservative as hell when it comes to gender stereotypes. Whenever the characters come into focus I basically rage at their endless apparent impotence. When the focus shifts to nonhuman culture or combat it's suitably engrossing. Also the main antagonist is noted to be Jewish just out of the blue. Felt like trolling on the author's part. In fairness he is a pretty good villain, on par with Made in Abyss' Bondrewd in style and morals.

He and Elias' heretofore ambiguous origins create a real sense of malevolence in the world that contrasts nicely with the otherwise pervasive wonder spouting out of the show's every orifice. It's like the concept of seeing the Alien reducing its terror, on a world scale. That kind of elemental uncertainty, the feel of a potent unconquerable frontier, restores my faith in fantasy.

4. Just cracking open Cowboy Bebop. The degree to which sentimentality/romanticism contributes to the authorial retention of "old world" tropes in the space era remains to be seen.